Ansuz · Ansuz
Freyr's Aett · No. 4 · Sound A
Form after Guus Kroonen, Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Germanic (2013). The asterisk marks a linguistic reconstruction — no recording of Proto-Germanic exists. The IPA follows Ringe's (2006) sound system; the audio is a synthesised approximation. Trust the IPA over the audio.
God, mouth, the spoken word
A stave with two downward branches — a mouth speaking, or a banner carrying a message. Odin's rune: he traded an eye for wisdom. The word that has power to alter reality.
A message is arriving — counsel from an elder, important news, or a sudden insight. A strong time for negotiation, writing, teaching, or study. Listen more than you speak; the answer usually comes in an unexpected form.
Miscommunication, deception, or advice given with an agenda. It can mean talking so much you miss the essential thing, or trusting someone eloquent but insincere. Check your sources.
Speak plainly, listen deeply, and the message will surface.
Óss means a god. The Icelandic poem does not name Odin directly but identifies him through his by-names — 'aged Gautr' and 'lord of Vallhalla' are both Odin. The Anglo-Saxon poem instead reads the name as os, 'mouth', and gives it a Christianised gloss as the source of speech and wisdom — a clear case of conversion reshaping a rune's meaning.
ÓssGod — aged Gautr and prince of Ásgardr and lord of Vallhalla.
Icelandic Rune Poem — oldest manuscript c. 1500 (AM 687 d 4°). Reproduced verbatim from Dickins (1915)